‘NBC Nightly News’ captures Eva’s philanthropic side tonight

“NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams” came to San Antonio recently to shoot a piece on Eva Longoria Parker – not for her work as an actress, her fashion sense or marriage to an NBA player — but for being someone who has made a difference in the world.

The result is tonight’s “Making a Difference” segment – during the 5:30 p.m. news – which focuses on Parker’s philanthropic endeavors. The main emphasis will be on Eva’s Heroes, the organization for special needs children the “Desperate Housewives” actress founded several years ago.

She has made it flourish through fundraisers such as her annual celebrity and casino events, which have helped pay for programs and other aids for the mentally and developmentally disabled. Her work for these children was inspired by her oldest sister Liza, who’s mentally challenged.

Longoria Parker asked the cameras come to Morgan’s Wonderland, San Antonio’s new park dedicated to children and adults with special needs, park spokesman Bob McCullough said.

According to Stephen Chavez of MasonPr, which coordinated the TV interviews, Eva was joined by her mom and dad and, of course, her sister Liza for the segment.

NBC Correspondent Norah O’Donnell, who also happens to be from San Antonio, conducted the interview, Chavez said.

The regular “Making a Difference” feature on “Nightly News” profiles people doing extraordinary things to help their neighbors –or complete strangers– through tough circumstances and situations. It’s one of the news program’s most popular segments.

This week, it covers celebrities with strong commitments to charitable causes; aside from tonight’s piece on Eva, the cameras captured the philanthropic work by Sally Field, Ben Affleck, Usher and Will Ferrell.